Haveri hosting national-level kabaddi event but locals, sports bodies clueless

Haveri: A national level kabaddi event is being conducted by the department of youth empowerment and sports, district administration, zilla panchayat in chief minister Basavaraj Bommai assembly segment Savanur town from March 24 to 26. However, the people of Haveri district are unaware of the mega sports event due to lack of good publicity. Interestingly, the department’s assistant director Lath BH also does not know about the event as organisers are trying to hide information even from the media regarding the sports event.
The department officials have not invited or informed the Haveri district amateur kabaddi association, Karnataka rajya amateur kabaddi association or Amateur kabaddi federation of India regarding the national-level event. Instead, the department authorities have involved a fans’ organisation of chief minister Basavaraj Bommai in the event.
“The organisers like the department of youth empowerment and sports are intentionally avoiding the Haveri district amateur kabaddi association, other kabaddi associations and media. The government is spending approximately Rs 3 crore for a three-day national-level tournament. Avoiding people will help them to misuse funds. This tournament is not being held to encourage kabaddi - it is for the welfare of some local people and authorities of the department of youth empowerment & sports,” alleged Shivanand Mallanagoudra, secretary of the Haveri district amateur kabaddi association.
He also criticised that organisers of the tournament have not shared any details such as how many teams will participate, and from which states. Officers have been busy completing the event before declaration of the election code of conduct. “Many Karnataka players have expressed disappointment over the arrangements made by the department of youth empowerment and sports. Accommodation, food, ground, and lighting are not fit for a national-level sports event,” Mallanagoudra charged.
When contacted, BH Latha, assistant director of the department of youth empowerment and sports said she did not know anything about the tournament. “I am following the instructions of the higher authority. If you need more information, you can ask joint director Suresh,” she clarified. However, the joint director has not provided any information.